Unlucky busted calling set ups

[cougforester]

Long story short, had the most unlucky situation happen in Montana elk hunting a few weeks ago while hunting that I've ever had.

Located a herd bull and 2-3 satellites a couple hours before dawn. Got within 100 yards of the herd, perfect wind, and waited the hour until daylight. The bulls were bugling every 30 seconds to 1 minute. At daylight, I dropped back to about 120 yards from the herd, shooter moved up to 80 yards from them. Still perfect wind. Waited for the herd bull to challenge bugle, let out a couple cow calls then challenged him back.

Immediately after that, a pack of 5 or 6 wolves starts howling less than a quarter mile away. Needless to say, the elk in that drainage shut up the rest of the day.

They didn't make a peep the entire time we were staring at our watches for shooting light to come.  Fun hearing that many bugles though.

Any similar experiences?

[2MANY]

Yes.
And then watched 6 dogs kill a cow.

[elkrack]

 

[Mfowl]

Opening day evening of this early archery season my buddy was having a bugle battle with a bull across a small meadow. I had posted up downwind and uphill in case anything tried to sneak in on us. Sure enough a spike came creeping along, he snuck up to 18yds but was behind timber and jack firs. When he began to step out he immediately saw me and spooked back to about 40yds and began barking at me. Suddenly everything went quiet and a couple moments later 2 other hunters materialized out of the timber. They heard all the noise and came running from the next ravine and pretty much finished clearing the elk off that hillside for us. Did not get another shot opportunity until the last morning, which I made count.

[boneaddict]

Very similar experience.  I was solo hunting, working a giant bull, who had about 50 cows, and a couple small satellites.  I was making a move and a wolf came trotting in to my original calling position.  It then proceeded into the herd which blew out.

[boneaddict]

I was also working a bull in Idaho on a finger ridge.  I was very close to closing the deal, when I heard a pack of hounds coming.   A smaller bear was rrunning up the ridge with the pack of hounds on his arse.   The bear ran by and soon the hounds.  Elk gone!

[Skyvalhunter]

Prior to the wolf explosion I take it?